What To Do When Your Power Goes Out During Spring & Summer Storms in Wisconsin
Spring and summer storms can cause power outages in Wisconsin with little warning. Knowing what to do when the power goes out can help protect your home, food, and electrical system until service is restored. Use this power outage checklist to stay calm and know when a power outage electrician may need to take a closer look.
First, Confirm the Outage
Check whether nearby homes, streetlights, or businesses also lost power. If the outage appears widespread, report it to your utility provider and follow their updates. If only your home is affected, look for a tripped breaker in a dry, safe area. Do not keep resetting a breaker if it trips again.
If a Tree Falls on the Power Line to Your Home
Sometimes, a power outage happens because a tree or large branch has fallen on the wire running to your house. If you see this, stay far away from the tree, branches, and any wires.
Always assume wires are live. Do not touch the tree, try to move branches, or attempt to remove anything from the wires.
Call your utility company right away so they can safely cut power and remove the tree. Once the utility company has made the area safe, call Hill Electric. We can assess the damage and repair or replace damaged service masts, weather heads, or other electrical components before the utility company restores power.
Depending on the severity of the storm and how widespread the damage is, it may take time for the utility company to return and reconnect service after repairs are complete.
Use a Safe Power Outage Checklist
Follow simple power outage safety tips while you wait:
• Use flashlights instead of candles whenever possible.
• Unplug sensitive electronics and large appliances.
• Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed. If the outage may last a while, use coolers with ice or place bags of ice in the fridge and freezer to help protect perishables.
• Keep phones charged with a battery pack if available.
• Never run a portable generator indoors, in a garage, or near windows.
If storms bring flooding or standing water near outlets, cords, or your panel, stay away from the area and call for help.
Watch for Electrical Warning Signs After Power Returns
When power comes back, check for flickering lights, burning smells, buzzing sounds, warm outlets, or breakers that trip repeatedly. These can indicate storm damage, overloaded circuits, or other electrical issues that require professional attention.
Hill Electric has served Madison, Wisconsin, and the surrounding areas since 1958, providing residential and commercial electrical services. If your home still has issues after an outage,call us at 608 256 2983 for help from a local electrical contractor.
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